Andy Murray hopes that officials will call time on slow play after the Scot was edged out of a semifinal place at this weekend's World Tour Finals on a statistical quirk.

The world No. 4 had to watch as Roger Federer lost in three sets in a late-night match to Juan Martin Del Potro, with the Swiss and the Argentine going through to the last four on the tennis equivalent of goal difference - winning game percentage.

But Murray has other issues with the new-look event, moved from Shanghai after a successful four-year run in Asia.

He'd like umpires to crack down on time-wasting, which he feels he may have experienced in his last group match, a win over Spain's Fernando Verdasco. He said that his opponent was taking his sweet time to return after changeovers.

"For me, if it's 25 seconds that you get between the points, I think some of the tournaments it's 20 seconds, and if you're over a couple of times, there has to be a warning," he said.

"When the umpire calls time, you should be out of your chair. That's it. That's the reason why they have those time limits.

"If the umpire calls time and your opponent is allowed to sit there for an extra 15 seconds, then I just don't think you should be allowed to do that."

Not if you do it in 1 point no. But 100 points a match, is 10 seconds per point, is a 1000 seconds, which makes a difference of more than 15 minutes. Also between the games, when time is called, you should stand up. Also after the first game, that's usually 20 seconds. At a tb changeover as well.

I kind of like that the ump has some discretion, I just wish that they would enforce it more. When a player is say, trying to serve for the Wimbledon title, I don't have much of a problem with them taking a little more time between points. But the constant bending of the time rule is frustrating.

Maybe, but he's right. And Murray doesn't take a lot of time to serve as well. Verdasco was taking too long sure, but the kings of time wasting are Nadal and Djokovic. Both bounce the bal so many times it's seriously annoying to watch (And I'm sure play against).

I agree. Nadal and Djokovic aren't the only time abusers, there are many lower ranked players who take a lot of time as well. I think it's a cheap shot to say something about Verdasco though.

*If the umpire said Verdasco should play to Fed's pace, I think that's wrong too. I've never heard of an umpire saying something that ridiculous.

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I didn't watch Murray/Verdasco match, but in the Fed/Verdasco match Fernando was taking time and Federer complained to the umpire. Verdasco was told to go at Fed's pace (the rules are to go by the server's pace) but didn't get a warnning. Verdasco was really taking time out there...

I didn't watch Murray/Verdasco match, but in the Fed/Verdasco match Fernando was taking time and Federer complained to the umpire. Verdasco was told to go at Fed's pace (the rules are to go by the server's pace) but didn't get a warnning. Verdasco was really taking time out there...

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I wasn't watching the match intently, so I don't know, but I get tired of Federer's insistence on administering the rules on the tour. As long as I've been watching tennis I've never heard of a pro constantly complaining about how others play. Sampras and Agassi never did this to each other. So far, Roger has complained about Rafa, Djokovic, Del Potro, now Verdasco. I'm sorry. He's not the governing body and his insistence on putting these things in print is wrong.

I wasn't watching the match intently, so I don't know, but I get tired of Federer's insistence on administering the rules on the tour. As long as I've been watching tennis I've never heard of a pro constantly complaining about how others play. Sampras and Agassi never did this to each other. So far, Roger has complained about Rafa, Djokovic, Del Potro, now Verdasco. I'm sorry. He's not the governing body and his insistence on putting these things in print is wrong.

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Seems like Roger likes to complain about his biggest rivals, and those who can beat him in GS, except for Verdasco :? perhaps he views him as threat

I wasn't watching the match intently, so I don't know, but I get tired of Federer's insistence on administering the rules on the tour. As long as I've been watching tennis I've never heard of a pro constantly complaining about how others play. Sampras and Agassi never did this to each other. So far, Roger has complained about Rafa, Djokovic, Del Potro, now Verdasco. I'm sorry. He's not the governing body and his insistence on putting these things in print is wrong.

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actually, if you knew a few things about tennis apart from how good rafa looks in suits, boxer shorts or borat bikinis, you would know that these things are in print already...

I wasn't watching the match intently, so I don't know, but I get tired of Federer's insistence on administering the rules on the tour. As long as I've been watching tennis I've never heard of a pro constantly complaining about how others play. Sampras and Agassi never did this to each other. So far, Roger has complained about Rafa, Djokovic, Del Potro, now Verdasco. I'm sorry. He's not the governing body and his insistence on putting these things in print is wrong.

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Actually, Federer is the head (?) of the advisory council for the board of directors of the ATP, so his voice is VERY powerful in men's tennis.

Actually, Federer is the head (?) of the advisory council for the board of directors of the ATP, so his voice is VERY powerful in men's tennis.

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And the minutes of those meetings are in the boardroom, not in pressers. That's why those meetings aren't televised. If he has a problem he should be working on a solution rather than acting like a spoiled brat.

And the minutes of those meetings are in the boardroom, not in pressers. That's why those meetings aren't televised. If he has a problem he should be working on a solution rather than acting like a spoiled brat.

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Oh come on. I don't see you saying the same when Nadal does his monthly "The season is too long, no?" speech.

This is true:shock: and so would every other player on the ATP and WTA, including Roger and Serena :cry: it happens every match, yet only highlighted for the select few :cry:

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Some do it more often, that's indisputable. But even the fastest servers will take more than 20 secs at least 4-5 times a match, and sometimes even more than 25 secs after a long point.

So, if the rule were to be enforced on every single point everyone would be disqualified by the end of the match. If they want to enforce the rules all the time, then they should give servers more time (30 secs).

Some do it more often, that's indisputable. But even the fastest servers will take more than 20 secs at least 4-5 times a match, and sometimes even more than 25 secs after a long point.

So, if the rule were to be enforced on every single point everyone would be disqualified by the end of the match. If they want to enforce the rules all the time, then they should give servers more time (30 secs).

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There are times when Nadal,for instance, takes almost upto to 45 seconds to serve..they show it .
That is blatant abuse of the time-rule.
Nadal abuses the rule a lot more frequently than most other top players which is why he gets the heat.
It has nothing to do with him being a main rival/threat,etc. like some Nadal fanatics/Fed-haters seem to think
The rule cant be 'enforced' on every single point but the players need to be warned more frequently.
And you dont get disqualified for abusing the rule,you get a point penalty..

There are times when Nadal,for instance, takes almost upto to 45 seconds to serve..they show it .
That is blatant abuse of the time-rule.
Nadal abuses the rule a lot more frequently than most other top players which is why he gets the heat.
It has nothing to do with him being a main rival/threat,etc. like some Nadal fanatics/Fed-haters seem to think
The rule cant be 'enforced' on every single point but the players need to be warned more frequently.
And you dont get disqualified for abusing the rule,you get a point penalty..

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If you get more penalties, you lose a game or a match. I'm pretty sure everyone would lose a match this way.

Maybe, but he's right. And Murray doesn't take a lot of time to serve as well. Verdasco was taking too long sure, but the kings of time wasting are Nadal and Djokovic. Both bounce the bal so many times it's seriously annoying to watch (And I'm sure play against).

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If some players think they could have won a particular match against Rafa or Novak if they did not get distracted by time-wasting, then let them complain to the players' council. If they don't complain, too bad for them.

Actually, Murray sometimes takes too long to serve as well. He is one the slower servers out there (slower than average).

not really..if they give even one point penalty the players might become more careful and try to increase their pace.

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OK, but a lot of players would get warned if the 20 seconds rule were enforced.

Maybe they can get as many opinions from different players as possible, and then see how many actually want the rule changed or modified. Some players may not like their opponents to quick-serve them either.

And how would they get the warning? Players don;t have stop-watches on them.

they can use the 1-1000, 2-1000 , 3-1000 second count method that would get it pretty close or not?

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lol too funny

This whole time-wasting business is very shady. If they suddenly started strictly enforcing the rule, it would be very distracting for many people. They should get as much agreement among players as possible. Maybe most of them don't mind.

OK, but a lot of players would get warned if the 20 seconds rule were enforced.

Maybe they can get as many opinions from different players as possible, and then see how many actually want the rule changed or modified. Some players may not like their opponents to quick-serve them either.

And how would they get the warning? Players don;t have stop-watches on them.

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Thats a lame excuse really.You can always figure out if you've been taking excessive time.
Most of the time-wasting happens because of a whole routine the players go through in between points.I'm sure they're well aware that they're taking excessive time.
I'm not sure how the warning is given but I believe it based on how much a player abuses the time-rule.If the abuse is excessive he is supposed to receive a warning .
Also , a player may take a little over 20 seconds sometimes.Doing it frequently during the course of a match is what is supposed to get a warning or a point penalty.

If a rule is there its supposed to be followed.If some players dont like it its their problem.They cannot blatantly abuse the rule regardless of what they think about it.

It is when nadal and djokovic fans brag about how high quality their matches are and how they push each other to the limits with marathon matches where in reality most of that time is wasted during their routine service games

It is when nadal and djokovic fans brag about how high quality their matches are and how they push each other to the limits with marathon matches where in reality most of that time is wasted during their routine service games

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i remember a thread where a poster counted of the time between serves by those 2 and it ended up in half - that is right - Half time...

There was an article in the London Times earlier this week. Here is a comment made about the subject

Henrietta J wrote:
"Nadal and Verdasco can take their time as far as I'm concerned - the tennis is well worth waiting for. Far more annoying is the attention constantly drawn to it by the commentators. When James Blake (one of the fastest players on the tour) was asked last year at Queens whether slower players annoyed him, he replied no, because every player has his own defence mechanisms and his was to play fast so that he doesn't have time to think, while some did it with routines. A pity everyone does not possess Blake's understanding and tolerance.""
November 26, 2009 9:14 PM GM

There was an article in the London Times earlier this week. Here is a comment made about the subject

Henrietta J wrote:
"Nadal and Verdasco can take their time as far as I'm concerned - the tennis is well worth waiting for. Far more annoying is the attention constantly drawn to it by the commentators. When James Blake (one of the fastest players on the tour) was asked last year at Queens whether slower players annoyed him, he replied no, because every player has his own defence mechanisms and his was to play fast so that he doesn't have time to think, while some did it with routines. A pity everyone does not possess Blake's understanding and tolerance.""
November 26, 2009 9:14 PM GM

I agree with the sentiments expressed.

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Who cares what Blake says? It is a rule. His sympathy for rule-breakers doesn't matter.

And it is there for a reason, to be fair to different styles of players. Taking too long is unfair to players who play at a faster pace, who play shorter rallies and go for more winners.

first i was not talking to you or about, you so what you think i could care less. how about a nice cup of STFU Idiot?

in fact it amuses me how you do nothing but adressing me by unsulting me and calling me an hypocrite when most of the tiem im not even talking to you or about you. i never said that i am in a moral higherground, unlike those pathetic nadaletes like you and that whinny peice of human incoherence that is the Truth...

so you have two options Idiot... Add me to your ignore list or report my post if they bother you!

here is a piece of advice: the last ones who decided to go on a rampage against me were: Maximo, Nadal Freak and King of aces... look out for their current status..

It was once noted that after the time limit was introduced (to stop long arguments...) players actually took longer to play, everyone started to use to full time when they used to just " not delay"

Given that useless tidbit...have you ever noticed Djok bounces 2-3x longer for a key serve? and usually gets a great one in after that...this is either to steady his nerves or to throw off a receiver (who has to be ready for...a looonger tiime...tough to when to D up.. ) or both. Nadal is notorious too. THIS IS ILLEGAL!. repeat. THIS IS ILLEGAL!. it is not a judgement call it is a technical call, over time or under time, like in or out. Sure players have their own rhythm and impose it on their opponents but they can only do so within the rules. A server can slow you down but not past time. A receiver can slow a server down (walk slow, not ready fast etc, ) but is supposed to be ready to receive quickly after a server is ready (now, this is a judgement call) Time limits are supposed to eliminate all that. allowing variance is unacceptable. look at what happened to Fed at USO on challenging? also BTW, why do umpires give an opinion when asked if a challenge should be made...? seems ridiculous to me, but they do, so the players ask..

Andy Murray hopes that officials will call time on slow play after the Scot was edged out of a semifinal place at this weekend's World Tour Finals on a statistical quirk.

The world No. 4 had to watch as Roger Federer lost in three sets in a late-night match to Juan Martin Del Potro, with the Swiss and the Argentine going through to the last four on the tennis equivalent of goal difference - winning game percentage.

But Murray has other issues with the new-look event, moved from Shanghai after a successful four-year run in Asia.

He'd like umpires to crack down on time-wasting, which he feels he may have experienced in his last group match, a win over Spain's Fernando Verdasco. He said that his opponent was taking his sweet time to return after changeovers.

"For me, if it's 25 seconds that you get between the points, I think some of the tournaments it's 20 seconds, and if you're over a couple of times, there has to be a warning," he said.

"When the umpire calls time, you should be out of your chair. That's it. That's the reason why they have those time limits.

"If the umpire calls time and your opponent is allowed to sit there for an extra 15 seconds, then I just don't think you should be allowed to do that."

Another case of sour grapes from Mr. Sour himself. He's just nick picking cus he got kicked out of the competition, how many times have we seen him moping about, talking to himself n wasting time between points when things aren't going his way... sore loser!

Another case of sour grapes from Mr. Sour himself. He's just nick picking cus he got kicked out of the competition, how many times have we seen him moping about, talking to himself n wasting time between points when things aren't going his way... sore loser!

mawashi

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Again, the post match interview and Murray's comments came BEFORE he knew he was out of the YEC. So it wasn't sour grapes.